FMA was recently involved in the process design and control requirements for the filtration, beer supply and CIP systems to Can Lines 2 and 3 for the GBP35M Merlin project at Coors Burton brewery.

FMA has a long-standing relationship with Coors Brewers - their track record spans both complete turnkey operations as well as specific control systems. Indeed, the company was only recently involved in the process design and control requirements for the filtration, beer supply and CIP systems to Can Lines 2 and 3 for the GBP35M Merlin project at Coors Burton brewery. This involved the complete re-automation of the existing two KG filters and the horizontal leaf PVPP filter, plus the addition of a second horizontal PVPP filter to create two discrete filter lines - whilst ensuring maintained production throughput for existing packaging requirements.

FMA involvement in "Merlin" also focused upon the concurrent electrical installation and control system for the new beer supplies from the BBTs to can lines 2 and 3 via the use of an existing CIP unit.

A Rockwell Controllogix solution was used to upgrade the existing PLC control system for filtration and provide control over beer supply for the can lines.

Using their considerable process knowledge, FMA was then able to provide a detailed functional specification incorporating filtration, CIP and beer supply requirements as well as operation of all new and existing process plant.

Full liaison took place with OEM equipment suppliers and thorough software simulation procedures were embarked upon.

A considerable part of the success of this complex project was down to the thorough simulation testing and operator training carried out by FMA and Coors.